Who are the six commanders appointed by Iran's supreme leader?

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has appointed six senior commanders to crucial positions within the armed forces and Basij militia. The appointments, announced on Monday, occurred following the deaths of several top commanders in US-Israeli strikes since the beginning of the war on February 28. The selections indicate Khamenei's preference for experienced leadership and continuity, rather than a significant overhaul of Iran's military hierarchy.

Here are brief profiles of the six new commanders:

1. Ahmad Vahidi - Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi was promoted to Major General and appointed commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), replacing Maj Gen Mohammad Pakpour who was killed during the February 28 strikes. Known for his hardline stance, Vahidi has held various senior military and government roles, including Defense Minister and Interior Minister.

He has been the IRGC's de facto commander since the onset of the war and has been tasked with enhancing the IRGC's ability to deter and launch offensive operations against adversaries.

2. Ali Abdollahi - Maj Gen Ali Abdollahi was appointed as chief of staff of Iran's armed forces, succeeding Lt Gen Abdul Rahim Mousavi, who was killed in the same strikes. Abdollahi is a senior IRGC commander who has been supervising the armed forces' General Staff throughout the conflict. He will be responsible for overseeing the overall military strategy and operations.

3. Adm Ali Ozmaei - Admiral Ali Ozmaei was appointed as commander of the IRGC Navy, replacing Alireza Tangsiri, who was killed in an Israeli air strike in March. The IRGC Navy is tasked with conducting military operations in the Persian Gulf and around the Strait of Hormuz.

4. Hossein Taeb - Brig Gen Hossein Taeb, a former head of the IRGC's intelligence organization, was appointed as head of the Basij, the volunteer paramilitary force used to suppress internal dissent. Taeb previously served as the intelligence chief within Iran's security apparatus and has held high-ranking positions within Iran's security services.

5. Brig Gen Kioumars Heydari - Brig Gen Kioumars Heydari, formerly commander of the army's ground forces, was appointed as deputy chief of staff. Heydari has held senior positions within Iran's regular army, known as the Artesh.

6. Maj Gen Mostafa Izadi - Maj Gen Mostafa Izadi was appointed as deputy commander-in-chief of the IRGC. A veteran commander, Izadi has held numerous high-ranking positions in Iran's military and security establishment.